Champions League

Champions League Picks – Semi-Finals, First Leg

Our coverage of the official UEFA Fantasy Champions League game returns this afternoon. With just four teams left in this year’s competition, our options are a little restricted ahead of tonight’s 7.30 pm deadline – nonetheless, we still manage to hand-pick a differential from each of the remaining sides for your consideration:

Filipe Luis – the Atletico left-back sets you back just 5.5 ahead of tonight’s home encounter with Chelsea. With Eden Hazard a major doubt, the visitors are likely to be stunted in attack against a side that have been mean in defence all season; the La Liga leaders have conceded just 22 times in 34 league games this term and with Jose Mourinho bound to keep it tight, Luis – owned by less than 3% of Fantasy managers – looks a real differential worth considering.

Fernando Torres – with Samuel Eto’o set to miss out due to a knee injury, the script looks set for the 9.0-priced Spaniard to lead the line against his former club in tonight’s first-leg. Torres will always have his critics but there’s no doubt he has a tendency to pop up with goals in the matches that matter most – the chance for him to ‘not celebrate’ a winner against his old team could well be the big story of the last four.

Gareth Bale – Real’s summer signing is back in full training after recovering from flu earlier in the week. With Cristiano Ronaldo poised for a return from injury, Carlo Ancelotti will surely target a Bayern backline that struggled against Man United’s pace through the centre in the previous round. Available for 12.0, Bale notched an oustanding winner in last week’s Spanish Cup final triumph over Barcelona and welcomes the defending champions to the Bernabeu in his best form of a superb debut season.

Thomas Muller – handed a brief 17-minute run-out for the weekend win over Braunschwieg, the Bayern forward will be fully refreshed for tomorrow’s trip to Spain. Priced at 11.0, Muller has a habit of netting vital goals in the big games and, with four strikes in his last six Champions League matches, will be confident of finding the net against a Madrid side that has mustered a mere three clean sheets in their 10 matches in this season’s competition.

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1,503 Comments Post a Comment
  1. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    Line up ucl game ?

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    1. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      ??

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    2. ahmadkhairulnizar
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Atletico XI: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe; Mario, Gabi; Koke, Raúl García, Diego Ribas; Diego Costa #Atleti #UCL ....subs : Aranzubia,Toby,Tiago,Turan,C.Rod,Sosa, & Villa..

      Chel XI : Cech..Cole,Luiz,Cahill,Terry,Azpi.. Ramirez,Lamps,Mikel,Will.i.an & Torres...subs : Schwarzer,Ake,Kalas,Oscar,Van Ginkel,Schurrle,& Ba..

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  2. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    How on earth are Chelsea going to score! 😯

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    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Ultra-defensive line up . Hope we can come out with a 0-0.

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        What about away goals?

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        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          We can't concede that's for sure, or it could be a long night.

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      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        boooooooooring

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    2. Snikiii
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Torres is fast and has pace ,so....(takes glasses off)
      He will score

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Miranda can probably match him, and who is going to play the passes, I cant see anypne on that midfield technically able to cope with the press.

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        1. Snikiii
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          they could always score from a free kick or a dodgy pen, Mourinho does not want to concede, he will probably be happy with 0-0 in both games and it going to pens at the bridge

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    • 10 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    Not sure why this hasn't made in to the Scout Tweets in full (I think there was a tweet about back in training), but good news on Yaya. 🙂

    Last week: Yaya -> Silva
    This week: Silva -> Yaya? 😀

    Anyway...

    Pellegrini on Yaya:
    "Yaya, I think, can be fit for next game."

    (http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/9277760/premier-league-manchester-city-to-assess-david-silva-after-midfielder-stretchered-off)

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  3. Gilbo88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    Anyone tempted by a punt on Januzaj for the last few now Giggsy is in charge? He has nothing to lose so will surely want to play some attacking football to please the fans and he loves a winger

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      No.

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      he's one to watch possibly.

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  4. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    ucl best duo? thnx

    1--bale + koke
    2--di maria + diego ribas
    3--di maria + R Garcia

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    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      1

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      1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        was leaning towrds 2. biased towards diego ribas.wached him play in brasil and he is insanely talented when he played w santos

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  5. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    best defender for up to 4.7 mln?

    Kaboul?
    Man Utd one - JEvans? Smalling?
    sb else?

    I need to decide tonight because of price changes… :/

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  6. turd ferguson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    Does anyone know if Ronaldo is fit or not?

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      8/10. Was a 9 with the old haircut.

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      1. turd ferguson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        haha, was waiting for that

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        1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          In all seriousness I think he'll start.

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  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    alot of united fans have no rooney in the starting lineup for norwich

    http://www.redcafe.net/threads/manchester-united-vs-norwich-city.389089/page-2

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      and? 😆

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        just people getting rooney in by the bucketload, I was considering it too. However 99% of the lineups have either welbeck or hernandez or both starting

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          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          and? 😆

          unless giggs posts on there, I don't care. nonsense to suggest he won't play just because the fans on a forum haven't got him in!

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          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 15 days ago

            No, but fans do watch games and if there is an overall consensus that their 'star player' should be dropped, then it should set off alarm bells.

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              • 10 Years
              10 years, 15 days ago

              that's a point to be fair. I thought he was trying to say he'll be dropped.

              still gonna get him with those fixtures though.

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              1. Wilshere Knowledge
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 15 days ago

                I was going to get him this week even though he had been crap because Moyes wouldnt drop him, but with Giggs in im waiting a week. He might play CM or might not start. I have financial leeway so I think its beat to wait.

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                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 15 days ago

                  to be honest, I think he's nailed on up top. Giggs will pick a predictable team I reckon - keep it simple.

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      I like the bloke that hasn't heard Moyes has been sacked.

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    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Just as well the forum fans aren't in control.

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        very true, just makes you re-consider your choice though

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          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          no offence but it really doesn't. 😀 completely irrelevant.

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    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Not suprising on the slightest. Doesnt deserve to start.

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    4. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Will they hire another plane if he does

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  8. ScottyMaz12
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    Will simplify my previous post - Silva > Ramsey is a given, but which would you say is the best second option?

    a) Lukaku > Rooney (-4)
    b) Baines/Coleman > Koscielny/Utd defender (-4)
    c) Go all out and do all 3 transfers for -8!

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  9. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    Anyone know the reason Bardsley has not played the last 2 games ?

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      banned - 10 yellows

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Suspension.

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      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        alright whatever, let's have some fun with this

        ................Courtois
        .....Carvajal - Juanfran - Azpi
        Di Maria - Robben - Diego - Koke
        ...Costa (c) - Muller - Ronaldo

        Starke; Alaba, Rafinha, Kroos

        good luck everyone

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        1. sinik
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          super reply fail hahah

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    2. The Enlightener
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      I have no inside knowledge, but perhaps he's just too offensive minded, leaving the back a little more susceptible when he goes forward so often, which isn't the best thing for a team that is trying to stay up. Don't get me wrong, if he's pushing up the field and assisting or scoring more goals, then maybe leaving the back a little more porous wouldn't be so bad. I know from owning him over the past few months that he hasn't done much assisting or scoring. (The obvious bears noting: that without Bards these last two games, Sundy have tied City and beaten Chelsea.)

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      1. The Enlightener
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Or the suspension thingy. Forgot about that. Anyways............not so sure he'll be shifted right back in.

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          He will. Vergini (a crap centre back) or Bardsley = Bardsley nailed.

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          1. The Enlightener
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 15 days ago

            Vergini is truly crap. Great point there.

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    3. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Thanks both

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  10. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    Atletico: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe, Mario, Gabi, Koke, Raul Garcia, Diego Ribas, Diego Costa

    subs: Aranzubia, Alderweireld, Tiago, Arda Turan, Cristian Rodríguez, Sosa, Villa

    Chelsea: Čech, Cole, David Luiz, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Willian, Torres

    subs: Schwarzer, Ake, Kalas, Oscar, Van Ginkel, Schurrle, Ba

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    1. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Van Ginkel back on the bench

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    2. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Cheers. :):

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  11. emperikal
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 15 days ago

    How does this look boys? Torres was the only striker I could get in at that price lol

    Courtois
    Azpi - Alaba - Carvajal - Juanfran - Rafinha
    Bale - Kroos - Robben - Koke - Diego
    Ronaldo - Costa (C) - Torres

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    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Not sure Rafinha starts

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      1. emperikal
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        I already had him from before though so no harm if he doesn't start

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  12. Magerost
      10 years, 15 days ago

      Costa captain in UCL?

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      1. emperikal
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        ^ Yep!

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      2. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        yeap surely!

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      3. Magerost
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Cheers!

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        • Disco Stu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Is it crazy to captain Courtois with this Chelsea lineup?

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      4. ChelseaChris
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Hi guys 1 q,,
        A) Mirallas -> Mata
        B) Mirallas, Lukaku -> Ramsey, Rooney -4?
        leaning towards the hit even though 20 points behind league leader. No arsenal players is killing me

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        1. Toonzie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          take the hit imo

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      5. Jacketts Potatoes
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Will Silva be flagged today so the price changes can be harder.

        He dropping quickly at the mo and I'd rather not lose another 0.1m tonight after losing 0.1m last night

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      6. Tinmen
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Who are Rooney and Ramsey owners captaining?

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        1. emperikal
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Undecided. Will be a game time decision I feel!

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        2. Jacketts Potatoes
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Making the decision early sat am. Still maybe even Kun at this stage

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        3. The Enlightener
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          I'm thinking Rooney is going to bring it against Norwich. Shame I have my frontline sorted out. May still drop someone to get him in...........maybe Suarez.........might need a shot or two of tequila to make that transfer go down.

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      7. Sean.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Looks like I'm going in with 6 Athletico, 3 Real, 3 Bayern and Azpi 🙂

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      8. Snikiii
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        I am starting to think that Giggs did a "Frank Underwood" to moyes

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        1. emperikal
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          😆

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      9. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        A) GW36: Distin -> DEMI (4 points)
        GW37: Punch -> NASRI

        B) GW36: Distin -> ALONSO (4 points)
        GW37: Punch -> YAYA

        MANNONE
        Baines, Terry, CHESTER
        MATA, Ramsey, Eriksen, Puncheon
        AGUERO, Suarez, ROONEY

        Gazzaniga, Distin, Williamson, Gnabry
        Bank 4.1m

        *CAPS = DGWers

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          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          A if that's what you're asking.

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      10. FACUPARSE
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        I don't hate Man U. I just think the fans are spoilt and ungrateful

        Ill stop my rant now

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        1. Heydudes13
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          You absolutely detest us clearly.

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          1. FACUPARSE
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 15 days ago

            I detest Chelsea. United are ok

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            1. Breadbin
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 15 days ago

              We'll be seeing you bore us to death with your hate for them again tonight.

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            2. Chucky
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 15 days ago

              You will hate us even more after we end up winning 3 European titles in a row . Success breeds envy and hatred 😎

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        2. Snikiii
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          its human nature for 20 years they have been the best team in England and top 3 in the world, and now they are in mid-ttable. What do you expect ? Just to stay there and say"ooo well Moyes tried his best, we shoudl be happy being 7 althought we won the title last year".

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          1. FACUPARSE
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 15 days ago

            Do you not think its the players fault then? They didn't work for Moyes.

            Next season will be just as bad

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            1. Snikiii
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 15 days ago

              i dont think it will be, just because United are very strong financially, if they get 2-3 decent players and a decent manager they will be back in top 4 for sure. I believe Moyes downfall were his tactics and the enormous amount of changes he was trying to make. You cant really blame him for trying to make the team his own. He did not want his results to be atributed to Ferguson, and he achieved that.

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      11. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        If Giggs wins all their remaining games - permanent contract?

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        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          No chance. There is too much riding on getting it right this time. After picking the wrong man in Moyes, appointing a guy who has zero managerial experience is not a risk they would take.

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          1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 15 days ago

            True. Plus if it all goes wrong again it really would be a horrible situation for them - having to sack a club legend.

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        2. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          He has experiene with difficult affairs...

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          1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 15 days ago

            😆

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            1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 15 days ago

              Decent track record when playing away.

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              1. Wilshere Knowledge
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 15 days ago

                He'll get stuck in for sure.

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      12. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        God this Fantasy UCL website is utter crap.

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          You just realised? 😯

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        2. Smarty Pants
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          I agree.
          Incredibly poor website and gross negligence in running the game in general.
          It's really sad, the game has massive potential. They should probably lease it to a third party who could run it more professionally and use their stupid website only for promotion.

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      13. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        will cr7 and muller start?

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        1. Heydudes13
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Yes and maybe.

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      14. Bring Back Caldwell
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Evening chaps, need to get Ramsey in but who for, Salah or Lallana?

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        1. Jacketts Potatoes
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Either really. Salah edges it I'd say though

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      15. Judas
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Transfers done. How is this team looking for this GW, took a -4:

        Mannone
        Coleman, Chester, Stones
        Mata, Eriksen, Ramsey, Nasri
        Aguero, Suarez, Lukaku

        Have my finals exams the rest of the week so thought id get them out the way

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        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          good, what was transfers? mata and ramsey in? for who?

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          1. Judas
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 15 days ago

            ramsey and nasri in, silva and snoddy out

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      16. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        2 rivals above me - one just 5 points above, another - 25 - have very few DGW players atm.

        the leader - Zabaleta, Silva*
        the 2nd one - Mata, Januzaj, Aguero

        I am on 6 atm - Mannone, AJ, Nasri, Aguero, Mata, Chester and can get JEvans/Smalling, Rooney and Demichelis/Zabaleta over the next 2 GWs for just -4 points hit.

        Is it a way to catch them? What do people think?

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        1. ChelseaChris
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          I'm pretty much in the exact same boat as you. I'm 20 behind this week hopefully only 20/25ish next week. Then our DGW should easily knock off 20

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      17. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Best replacement for silva? Don't like nasri, Hoping Yaya fit.

        Already have mata, Ramsey, Eriksen.

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        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Anyone else I have not considered?

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          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Pellegrini on Yaya:
          "Yaya, I think, can be fit for next game."

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      18. kanye east
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        I have a psychic power

        I can see 2 situation from Chelsea here

        1. Lampard will score, ramires will have pace beside him to assist
        or
        2. When the timing is perfect, Mourinho will unleash his secret weapon when their defence are tired. Unleash the Schurrle. exactly the perfect player to score against Atletico
        (not sure why he didn't start)

        COYB

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        1. Snikiii
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          i see another situation
          Costa score 5 goals in 45 min and Mourinho leaves and gets a job at Man Und

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        2. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 15 days ago

          Keep it simple. Keep it 0-0 till 60th minute... then put in schurrle and oscar to nick a goal.

          COYB 🙂 🙂

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      19. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        Muller and Kros or Ribery and Torres? The second one means - 4 pts. I don't know why but I am tempted to do the hit

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      20. decisions
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 15 days ago

        What's the thinking on Rooney now?

        Was set to do Lukaka to Rooney but not so sure anymore.. maybe dzeko to aguero is the better move?/?

        Thoughts..

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